Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Today's meeting has been convened to discuss the future of musical theatre education in Ireland with representatives from Royal Irish Academy of Music, the Association of Irish Musical Societies and the Irish College of Musical Theatre. On behalf of the committee, I welcome from the Royal Irish Academy of Music: Ms Deborah Kelleher, director, and Mr. Séimí Campbell, alumnus; from the Association of Irish Musical Societies: Mr. Rob Donnelly, national president, and Mr. Frank Foley, national secretary; and from the Irish College of Musical Theatre: Ms Deirdre Masterson, director, and Mr. Billy Roche, playwright. We will also be joined remotely by Mr. Killian Donnelly, performer.

I will invite our witnesses to deliver their opening statements, which are limited to three minutes. This will be followed by questions from members of the committee. The committee may publish the opening statements on its web page.

Before I ask our witnesses to deliver their opening statements, I will explain some limitations regarding parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses as regards references witnesses may make to other persons in evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or of those who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts is protected, pursuant to both the Constitution and statute, by absolute privilege. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of that person or entity.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise, comment on or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of Leinster House to participate in public meetings. Therefore, any member who attempts to attend from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting.

I remind all those joining us today to ensure their mobile phones are on silent mode or switched off. I now call on Ms Deborah Kelleher from the Royal Irish Academy of Music to make her opening statement.